Wildcats Show Stuff At NFL Combine

MANHATTAN, Kan. - Four Wildcats took part in the NFL Draft Combine this past week and now will await the all important Pro Day on the KSU campus on March 12

The NFL Combine has come and gone, but the verdict still seems to be in question on the Kansas Staters that took part, or didn't take part.

Arthur Brown, listed on some charts as one of the top five linebackers and a possible late-first round draft choice, didn't take part in the combine due to a lingering shoulder injury.

It's hoped that he will be able to do drills during the K-State Pro Day on March 12.

Injured or not, Brown told the NFL Network that he's ready for the next level.

"I'm projected to be a Mike, Will or Sam linebacker depending on the team you talk to," said Brown. "I'm a versatile linebacker and I'm definitely able to float the bill. Coach (Bill) Snyder is definitely someone who is going to get the most out of you. My goal is to be who I need to be as a linebacker."

Further defined, he said, "That's giving relentless pursuit as a key element to my game. That's something that I definitely strive to always consistently do is pursuing to the ball aggressively downhill."

Brown has reportedly upped his weight from 227 during the season to 241 pounds now, but he adds that it hasn't slowed his foot speed.
When the NFL Draft rolls around on April 25, Arthur hopes to be joining his brother, Bryce, who was a seventh-round draft selection by the Philadelphia Eagles last year, and was a contributor by the end of the season.

"Being able to watch Bryce and watch his mentality and approach to not just the game, but the business side of the game has definitely been eye opening," said his older brother. "It really has helped me leading up to the combine and the draft. You have to approach it as a business."

Quarterback Collin Klein told the Denver Post that he thought his workout went "… very good. I think it went really, really well. I knew what to expect and showed what I can do."

Projected as a late-round draft choice or free agent, Klein was timed in 4.78 in the 40, had a vertical jump of 29 inches and a standing broad jump of 9-foot-4 inches. Scouts also indicated that his delivering of passes had improved since the East-West Shrine Game in January.

"I was just out there throwing it around, trying to have a good time," Klein told The Post. "I felt like they could see I could get the ball to the receivers and make those big throws."

While ESPN still lists Klein as a tight end prospect and not a quarterback, and while the NFL Combine issued an invitation for him to workout with the tight ends, Klein declined the offer.

"I know I have the tools to play (quarterback)," Klein told USA Today. "I know I bring a lot to a team at that position. I'm going to pursue every door that I possibly can to lay quarterback until every one of those is closed. I'm not really considering anything else."

Wide receiver Chris Harper is projected as a third- or fourth-round draft choice. He was clocked in 4.55 in the 40, which was a touch slower than last year's Pro Day when he was clocked in 4.46.

Harper had a vertical jump of 35 inches, bench pressed 225 pounds 20 times and had a standing broad jump of 9-feet, 8 inches.

Fullback Braden Wilson worked out with the running backs and was clocked in 4.81, but did have 22 reps in the bench press.